At 110kg (240lbs if you insist, but feudal measures mess with my mind) you would need to re-spring either the 796 or the 1100. Or most other bikes for that matter.

I completely understand that. Which is why every bike I've owned (even when I was a more svelte 97kg) has had fork and shock springs changed (at a minimum) for my weight. The problem with at least the 796 is when you can only change the spring in one fork you end up being limited to how much of a change you can do to spring rate before you run into issues with how well the fork does its job. This was at least what I have been told from a few different suspension guys. Which is why some people were swapping in a better fork on the 796, at around $1600 to $2000 a pop. Its one thing for me to spend a little bit of coin to put a better fork on an older pre cartridge era bike like my FJ. Its a totally different thing to have to spend a few thousand on top of 13+ grand because the manufacturer possibly cheaped out on the fork and put some rubbish hardly adjustable and not really upgradeable thing on there. As I said before, I hope that Ducati didn't do this, but I won't be surprised if they did, because they did it before. And if this is indeed the case I'll just as soon spend my money on a bike that doesn't have cut rate springy bits on it, made by some other manufacturer.

__________________There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating: people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing.

The problem with at least the 796 is when you can only change the spring in one fork you end up being limited to how much of a change you can do to spring rate before you run into issues with how well the fork does its job. This was at least what I have been told from a few different suspension guys. Which is why some people were swapping in a better fork on the 796, at around $1600 to $2000 a pop.

You can only change the spring in one leg because only one leg has a spring in it.

I've never heard the comments about spring rates being an issue (other than availability). Not trying to flame at all but I wonder if maybe you're not understanding what the suspension guys are saying? Perhaps they mean there is only so much you can do with spring rates - the valving can't be adjusted?

The reason people are changing forks is because other than spring rate/preload and fluid viscosity/level there really isn't anything you can do to mod the forks. You can't even replace the stock valving with aftermarket parts.

If I had to choose one thing I liked the least about my 796 it would be the lack of potential for modding the stock suspension. However from what I've found there is a partial solution to the stock parts which consists of getting the "correct" spring and fluid. Not at all expensive, said to improve things, but of course it's not optimum. If I do keep my 796 I'll be investing in the parts. However, I've seen the new SP, and... I like it more than I thought I would. My 796 may be for sale this spring...

Oh you know they did, non adjustable front suspension and a non hydraulic clutch got to cut costs somewhere to make the price point…

The one thing I did not like on the new bike was the feel of the clutch. I'm sure I'd get used to it but the inital reaction was it didn't feel as nice as the hydraulic clutches on my other bikes. And in fact it didn't feel as nice as the clutch on my '74 750GT, but that may just be because I knew the 750 had a cable operated clutch so was expecting it. I had forgotten about it on the new bike so when I pulled it I was a bit surprised by the feel .

You know if it can be done and there is enough demand for It the aftermarket guys will make a hydraulic clutch kit for it, or some ADV rider will figure a way to make it happen

Yeah, there are hydraulic conversions for the 750GT too. It's not something I'd go to the effort to change unless it was really simple.

I'm not interested in a Hyperstrada anymore anyway. In doing a reality check I've decided if I do get a new hyper, it'll be an SP. If I decide I want to start dogin soem serious touring I'll buy something else.